NEWS TICKER
Published on
October 18, 2021
Black British retelling of The Wiz at Hope Mill Theatre announced
By
douglasmayo
Casting has been announced for Hope Mill Theatre's black British retelling of The Wiz this Christmas.
Following its sold-out, critically acclaimed production of ‘Rent’, Manchester’s Hope Mill Theatre in association with Ameena Hamid Productions announces the cast for a radical new version of the 70s musical The Wiz: The Super Soul Musical “Wonderful Wizard of Oz”.
Directed by Matthew Xia (‘Into the Woods’, Royal Exchange), The Wiz is a joyous retelling of
L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s novel ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’ reflecting contemporary
African-American culture. Its 1975 Broadway premiere production won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Matthew Xia said: “The Wiz is approaching its 50th anniversary, it now exists within the canon of mainstream musicals and it’s due time for some bold reinvention. Originally a funk and soul-based analogy for the African-American experience, in 2021 Manchester we’re offering a contemporary take on the discovery of self-determination and Black joy with this celebration of Black culture across the African diaspora.”